Dish

The dish is complete; breaks and cracks have been repaired with metal studs. The dish is rectangular with sides, or octagonal. In cross-section, the dish has a sloping border, a low wall and a flat bottom; on the reverse, the dish is free of glaze and very pale brown in color; the rim of the dish is thick. There are slight flaws on the bottom. Under the base, the letters X and T appear to have been engraved. The reverse side of the dish features eight pairs of drilled holes, each housing a copper metal spike. These studs have made the dish wobbly. There are wear and linear marks on the inner base; the decoration is hand-painted underglaze in monochrome blue. It is of the oriental scenic type. The decoration is visible on the inner rim, wall and base. The decoration on the marli is a complex frieze: it consists of four series of two different motifs repeated in alternation; these series are bordered by an inclined scroll. One of the motifs consists of a band decorated with a latticework underlined by a line. From this line emanates a half-flower surmounted by three plant motifs traced and painted in blue. The latticework is bordered at each end by a Ruyi head, with the perimeter and inner floral motif in reserve. This is followed by a group of spirals featuring a half-flower and a flower traced in blue. The background decoration is bordered by an oval with a double stroke, which is topped by a row of double spirals surmounted by a trident. The background features an oriental scene with a river and two islands. On the main island are several pavilions accessible by a staircase, including a tall temple with a stepped roof; their courtyard features a tall pine tree and is enclosed on the left by a fence whose panels are adorned with swastikas. Leafy trees and a mountain border the ensemble on the right. On the second island stands a building with a stepped roof, bordered by rocks and a cliff. A small boat sails on the water between the two islands. V-shaped birds twirl in the sky.